Pleasantville Polar Bear Post
Week of January 22nd, 2024
Principal's Message
Good Afternoon PLV Families!
Hope everyone was safe last week as we navigated a severe storm on Tuesday and Friday, giving us two weather-related days off. In addition to our 2-hour delay on Wednesday, it was a crazy week!!
This week is another 4-Day week, as there is No School this Friday, January 26th for Staff Professional Development.
PLV kicked off our new Reading Challenge last week. All student received a yellow reading tracker from their teachers to record their reading from now until Feb 8th. For any students that read and record 300 minutes of reading, they can earn 2 FREE tickets to a University of Delaware Basketball game. Students read their book, record the date, the name of the book and how many minutes they read. At the end, parents need to sign that your child has completed all of their reading. All forms are due to Mrs. Redding by Friday, February 9th,
Winter Weather has arrived!! !! Please make sure that you are connected to Colonial's Website, Facebook and receive emails/texts/calls from Colonial through School Messenger. Dr. Menzer makes the decisions whether to close schools, delayed openings, or early dismissals in case of inclement weather. As soon the decision is made, it is posted on the above sites. I will also send a text reminder and post on Class Dojo if we have any late openings, early dismissals or closings. As soon as I know, you will know. Please refrain from calling the Main Office for information. I will post as soon as I know any weather related changes during the school day.
Colonial referendum 2024: It's been nearly 20 years since the last major upgrade to our facilities in Colonial....it's time!!
Do you know that Pleasantville's playgrounds and equipment have not been updated in over 20 years? Do you know that we do not have a secure entrance that is ADA compliant? Do you know that we need a new roof? These are just a few of the updates that our PLV KIDS DESERVE!
For more information here is the LINK about the upcoming Referendum and Read Below to find see all the upgrades needed.
IT'S TIME TO VOTE! Mark your calendars for February 29th, 2024. WE need your support to get out and vote to improve Pleasantville and all our Colonial Schools, including George Read, Gunning Bedford and William Penn where our PLV kids will go in the future! Colonial Kids Deserve It!
As a reminder, if you would like to volunteer at school or for your child's field trip, you must complete the Volunteer/Background Check Form on Colonial's website and be approved.
Kind Regards & Stay Well,
Renee M. Griffith - Principal
Michelle Upperman - Assistant Principal
It's been 20 years since the last major upgrade to our Colonial schools
Colonial schools are, on average, 60 years old. Restoring, updating and improving the buildings and facilities in Colonial is a necessary step to fully realizing the Power of WE and showing all of our students that they deserve safe, functional, high quality spaces. We want every aspect of Colonial Nation to be a source of pride.
Vote in Colonial’s referendum….February 29, 2024
What does in mean for Pleasantville when the Capital Vote Passes...
Building Security
- New Secured Entrance with a secured Vestibule
- Updated Classroom Door Locks
Playground Updates
- Current Playground Equipment Replaced
- Extended Mulch areas under/around playgrounds
- Repair/Replace Perimeter Fence/Gates
Exterior Updates
- Replace Roof
- Repair erosion on the exterior walls of the building
- Repair/Replace Sidewalks around the property
- Expand Car Rider Drop-Off Loop with new paved roadway entering/exiting
- Replace outdoor benches
What does in mean for George Read when the Capital Vote Passes...
Building Security
- Updated Classroom Door Locks
Interior Updates
- HVAC Upgrades and Repairs
Athletic Fields Update
- Restore dirt In-field to Baseball & Softball Fields
- Add bleachers and Dugouts
- Resurface Track and add new striping
Exterior Updates
- Repair/Replace existing Rain Garden
- Repair deteriorated pavement
- Repair/Replace Fencing
What does in mean for Gunning Bedford when the Capital Vote Passes...
Building Security
- Updating Secure Entrance
- Update Classroom Door Locks
Athletic Fields
- Restore Dirt In-field to Baseball & Softball Fields
- Add Bleachers
- Resurface Track and add new striping
Exterior Updates
- Replace Roof
- Seal Coat/Repair and Restripe existing pavement
- Repair/Replace Sidewalks around the property
What does in mean for William Penn when the Capital Vote Passes...
Building Security
- Update Secure Entrance
- Update Classroom Door Locks
Athletic Fields
- Repair Dugouts for Baseball & Softball Fields
- New Sports Stadium & Complex
Exterior Updates
- Replace Roof
- Mil, Repave, and Restripe existing parking lot
Learn More About the Referendum Here:
It's Time: Jan 9th CSD Public Meeting Forum
Its Time: Explaining Reassessment
Important Dates
Tuesday, January 23rd - 5th Grade Social Studies State Test #1
Friday, January 26th - No School
- Staff Professional Development
Friday, February 16th - No School
- Staff Professional Development
Monday, February 19th - No School
- President's Day Holiday
Thursday, February 29th
- Colonial Referendum VOTE!! PLV and Colonial Kids Deserve It!
Here is the Colonial School District Calendar for SY23-24:
Phillies Reading Challenge SY23-24!!
PLV's Reading Team is excited to kick off Phanatic about Reading! It's a reading challenge from the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team! Each teacher was given a stack of green challenge papers to give to each child. All students need to do is READ for at least15 minutes at home each night! When they read they mark an X over the date and that’s it!
Mrs. Redding will be doing incentives throughout the year for students that do the most reading and keep their sheet in a safe place to document their reading goals. The Phillies also do incentives, so let’s get to reading at home Pleasantville Polar Bears!
Join PLV PTA & Upcoming Events
Feb 12th
- PTA Meeting 6:00 PM in the PLV Library
Feb 15th
- PLV Winter Dance - details coming very soon....
Communication Updates
PLV Main Office
- PLV Main Office: 302-501-7992
- Renee Griffith - Principal: 302-400-7742
- Michelle Upperman - Assistant Principal: 302-400-7745
- Donna Robinson: 302-367-7946
- Mandy Munson SEC: 302-367-7818
- Jignasa Wedell - Counselor 302-669-9637
- Kayla Woods - Psychologist: 302-367-7853
- Heather Yacabell - Family Support Therapist: 302-400-7218
- Andy Tallman - Communities in Schools: 302-400-7995
- Pleasantville and Colonial will communicate via email and text message. Please make sure we have the most updated contact information.
Class DoJo App
- Teachers and Admin will use Class Do to update upcoming events, send parents direct messages, etc.
- Teachers will be updating their individual Class Stories a minimum of 2x per week to keep parents updated.
- The best way to contact your child's teacher/Admin is to send them a Direct Message through Class DoJo. Make sure you get connected!!
Contact Info:
- Please ensure that your email and phone numbers are correct. These are the main channels for Colonial and PLV to contact you to share important information. To update the contact information you have on file, please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/CSDinfoupdate
- If you have not been receiving calls & emails from Pleasantville or Colonial School District, please call PLV's Secretary, Ms. Jaimie Spadea at 302-501-7992 or email jaimie.spadea@colonial.k12.de.us
Pleasantville's Mission
Pleasantville Elementary’s mission is to inspire excellence in ALL of our students to ensure they reach their highest potential in academic achievement, as well as in social and interpersonal skills. We believe that through hard work, perseverance and active engagement in learning, ALL students will succeed.
Focusing on lifelong success traits such as empathy, self-regulation, problem solving and the growth mindset help us to build a strong foundation and educational experience that will positively impact ALL Pleasantville students for the rest of their lives. By partnering with our families and community, we will continue to be PAWsitively Positive now and in the future.
PLV Polar Bear Pledge
- WE Make Positive Choices
- WE Have a Positive Attitude
- WE Use Positive Work Habits
- WE Build Positive Relationships
- WE Are Positively Kind
School Supply Lists
Parents who wish to provide supplies for their child, please review the suggested PLV Student Supply List SY22-24
School Start & End Times
8:45 Doors Open (Arrival)
- Students will be considered late after 9:00 AM and will need to be signed in at the Main Office with Ms. Spadea, our Secretary. Parents will use a QR Code to sign students in late. Please bring your phone with you inside.
- Students may not be dropped off early to PLV, unless they are signed up for YMCA Before Care. There is no supervision of students on the front or side sidewalks.
3:35 Student Dismissal
- We will start the dismissal process inside the building at 3:30.
- Students will need to be signed out at the Main Office with Ms. Spadea for Early Dismissals PRIOR to 3:00.
NO CHANGES TO DISMISSAL AFTER 3:00!!
Pleasantville Student Schedules KN - 5th SY23 - 24 (see below)
PLV's Nemours Wellness Center
What's a school-based health center?
A school-based health center (SBHC) is a medical office located inside your child's school. Nurse practitioners and behavioral health therapists offer well-child visits, sick visits, vaccinations, and mental health care to students. Your child can get free, high-quality care, that's safe and convenient.
How much does a visit cost?
If your child doesn't have insurance, their care is free. If your child has insurance, the school-based health center will file a claim directly. (Note: No co-pay, co-insurance or deductible will be charged to you).
Who runs the SBHC?
Your child's school-based health center is a partnership between their school district, Nemours Children’s Health and the Delaware Division of Public Health. These three organizations work together to run the center.
Staff:
- Physical Health Practitioner - Natalie Kasper - Tuesday All Day; Thursday Afternoons
- Medical Assistant - Lorena - Tuesday All Day; Thursday Afternoons
- Behavioral Health - Janine Howell -Conkey - Wednesday and Friday
Enrollment:
- Online Enrollment: https://app.nemours.org/sbhc
- Paper Enrollment: Use this LINK or https://bit.ly/csdwellnessctr
PLV Family Handbook SY23-24
Nutrition
CSD Nutrition Services has guidelines for Parents and Students bringing outside food into school.
- Parents can send in a snack for their child only, but cannot send in snacks for the entire class. Students get free breakfast and lunch daily and Fresh Fruit & Vegetable 4 days a week.
- School Cafe is a simple way for parents to make school snack payments. Students are offered second meals and a la carte snacks at a small cost. Click the "Pre Payments" tab to set a student account.
- Colonial School Nutrition
- NO outside food coming from home to be used for classroom parties, celebrations, events and/or rewards for student behavior due to monitoring food allergies, reducing food safety concerns and consumption of excess calories during the school day to meet Smart Snack guidelines..
Car Riders
Cars may start to enter the Car Rider Lot at 3:00 (no earlier). Students have recess in that lot up til 3:00 each day.
Parents may not park in the front and come into the building at dismissal. Colonial buses unload and load students in the front of the building.
Pleasantville Elementary School
Governor's Desk Update
Governor Carney Signs House Bill 118 with Wilbur Elementary School Community
- Governor Carney joined Speaker Valerie Longhurst, Representative Kevin Hensley, students, teachers, and families at Wilbur Elementary School to sign House Bill 118. This piece of legislation, which prohibits smoking in vehicles in the presence of a minor, was brought to the General Assembly by Wilbur Elementary students and their teacher.
- Literacy is the foundation that each of our students and neighbors need for success. We encourage all Delawareans to take advantage of the many resources available in our state through Delaware's libraries and literacy organizations this month and every month.
All Delawareans can sign up for a free library card online or at their local library: lib.de.us
Children under five are eligible for free books delivered monthly from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: lib.de.us/imagination
- Opportunity Funding helps schools statewide better support our most vulnerable students. Governor Carney visited Mount Pleasant High School, Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School, Morris Early Childhood Center, and East Millsboro Elementary to see their progress in action. Because of Opportunity Funding, schools throughout Delaware have:
- Strengthened supports for multilingual learners
- Increased reading and math assistance programs to help students catch up
- Invested in social emotional learning and behavioral health programs and personnel